How to Fight Back Against Indoor Air Pollution

By Sara Butler

Most people think of air pollution as something outside, not something that impacts their workplace or home. But according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the air inside offices, homes, and other building can be even more polluted than the air outside. Since people spend so much time inside it increases the exposure you and your family have to indoor air pollution. Here are a few ways you can fight back!

The Most Common Sources

So, what causes indoor air pollution? The biggest culprits are:

• Tobacco smoke
• Carbon monoxide
• Radon
• Household products
• Pesticides
• Mold
• Pollen
• Building materials such as asbestos

When you add up all the time you spend inside, you understand how much you’re being exposed to these things. Poor indoor air quality can cause problems with your nose, eyes, and throat. It can also lead to chronic lung and heart problems, even cancer after several years of exposure. For the elderly, children, and those with asthma, these problems can be even worse.

How to Fight Back

To help improve the indoor air quality in your home, you should:

• Open windows – Periodically opening windows to let fresh air move through your home is a good idea. Just be mindful of pollen counts outside, especially if you have allergies.
• Keep it clean – Try to keep your home as clean as possible by dusting and vacuuming regularly. If you can find a vacuum with a HEPA filter or a bagless model, that will help even more.
• Clean with natural products – Avoid using toxic products to clean your home and utilize pumps instead of aerosols when cleaning. You can make your own cleaners easily with non-toxic ingredients such as baking soda and vinegar.
• Don’t smoke – If you or someone in your home smokes, have them do it outside.
• Properly ventilate the bathrooms – Bathrooms can trap moisture and heat, which can cause mold growth. Make sure your bathroom is well ventilated.
• Clean the ducts – Have your HVAC system cleaned regularly, especially the ducts and filters that can trap dust and other irritants.
• Don’t keep chemicals – Dispose of any solvents, paints, pesticides, and other chemicals properly and don’t keep them inside your home. If you have to store chemicals, make sure they’re in a well-ventilated area that children and pets don’t have access to.

Keep the air quality in your home safe for you and your family with simple strategies.